I'm saying London's skyline is one of the most amazing sights, like New York. I used to get the bus to the south of the Thames for work and the views made me smile every day.

I have the best of both worlds, I live on the outskirts of London near the country but I'm half an hour from the city so I have the contrast between my home and work life. I wouldn't like to live in central London but I have easy access if I want to do anything in town. Plus it is one of the best places in the country for culture with the museums and galleries.

I love many parts of Britain and will no doubt move away from London one day but I can't earn what I earn in other parts of the country and I've lived here all my life *shrugs*

Having worked in/around central London, there's actually very few sights in the City that make me think 'gosh that's amazing.'
The small scale stuff, the people, little notices in doorways and architectural detail is what interests me (photographically at least). And to be honest, most cities have something of note in that respect.
There's lots I don't like about London - I've had some great times, but that's down to the people I was with rather than the location, ultimately.
Generally speaking, I found London impersonal, over priced, and not that special to look at. YMMV, of course.

they scam foreigners for charging over £4! for an ice cream I hear, will post sources if requested!

PARIS FTW! paris prob even more expensive in general but paris the best city I have ever come across

is it true that living in London has the same effect of smoking a few cigarettes due to the high pollution?

Keep me informed. I'd like to join you on that trip.

No probably about it. Paris IS more expensive. I had to go for work this year and they wanted €12 for a small jar of nuts. I can go the cafe near my office building and get a bacon sandwich for £1.20. Obviously if you go to the tourist areas then things are over priced but you get that anywhere.



Alex London is like marmite, you either love it or hate it!



MiniMU?

You missed sunny Peterborough off your list
I'd suggest a MU in Northampton but according to national rail enquiries it would take me around 3 hours to get there
I can get to Birmingham by train in that amount of time.

I live in East London, and work pretty right outside the British Museum. I've never noticed a £4 ice cream but I'm sure they exist somewhere.

I find London quite affordable tbh, and I doubt I'd find the countryside all that much fun.

LMAO I did actually think of Peterborough when I was typing it

The train is a problem because it only goes where the lines run, so you often end up going via China. There is the X4 coach service though, which is very slightly quicker. No idea what it costs though:

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/GetUpload.ashx?Id=3965

Hmm, the bus looks like it takes even longer than some trains... and could end up in being stranded in Corby at the end of the day .
Cambridge or Leicester would probably be better places to meet up (or London as that's a total dodle to get to).

Two and a half hours?

Cambridge is nice. The N'pton contingent could always car-share to the park & ride. I'd volunteer but unfortunately I don't seem to have a spare weekend until next summer

For views I must say I love Wales, on my drive to work I look out over valleys drowned in mist and I work around a train station that was built in the early 20th century.

I can, however, see how the city can be a magical and vibrant place.

Have I missed something? What's all this about Northampton, London, Cambridge?

We thinking a weekend meet-up?

It would seem so.

And being in Northampton I might finally be able to join in with a MU

Do you find it affordable because you're either:
a) Earning a significant amount more than the rest of the country.
b) Made certain lifestyle choices that you couldn't make outside of London.
c) Have no need to work thanks to the family capital, but choose to do so to stop yourself being bored.

I live in a 4 bedroom house, with views of the moors and the sea, parking for 4 cars and a 3 car garage, large front and rear garden (room enough for 3 sheds and a clothes dryer, BBQ, swing seat and table/chair set). I also have fresh air, and don't ever need to deal with overcrowding.
How much would that cost in London?
On the downside - we don't have a marvellous integrated public transport system, very few shops are open late, few bands play down here and the local economy is reliant on seasonal income.

I'd certainly be up for something along those lines, although as discussed previously with JJ Cambridge, London or, at a push, Leicester would work out better from my point of view as it wouldn't take an epic amount of time to get there by public transport.